Methods and apparatus for a strut assembly for an aerodynamic trucking system

ABSTRACT

A strut assembly for mounting an aerodynamic fairing assembly for attachment to a trailer of a tractor-trailer having a centerline, transverse structural support members extending between sides of the trailer, and longitudinal members extending along a length of the trailer. The strut assembly may comprise a mounting plate, a strut body, and a substantially rectangular composite spring. The mounting bracket comprising a mounting plate and a pair of spaced apart sidewalls. The strut body rotatably may be coupled to the pair of spaced apart sidewalls on the mounting bracket. The substantially rectangular composite spring may be coupled to an upper surface of the strut body and configured to contact an underside of the mounting plate of the mounting bracket to resist inward deflection from an external force applied to the strut body.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Nonprovisionalpatent application Ser. No. 16/741,886, filed Jan. 14, 2020, entitled“AERODYNAMIC TRUCKING SYSTEMS”, which is a continuation of U.S.Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 15/958,342, now U.S. Pat. No.10,583,873 filed Apr. 20, 2018 entitled “AERODYNAMIC TRUCKING SYSTEMS”,which is a continuation of U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser.No. 15/277,172 filed Sep. 27, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,975,583 entitled“AERODYNAMIC TRUCKING SYSTEMS”, which is a continuation of U.S.Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 14/935,647 filed Nov. 9,2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,751,573 entitled “AERODYNAMIC TRUCKINGSYSTEMS”, which is a continuation of U.S. Nonprovisional patentapplication Ser. No. 14/247,504, filed Apr. 8, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No.9,211,919 entitled “AERODYNAMIC TRUCKING SYSTEMS”, which is acontinuation of U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No.13/633,013 filed Oct. 1, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,727,425 entitled,“AERODYNAMIC TRUCKING SYSTEMS”, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/639,830, filed Apr. 27, 2012,entitled “AERODYNAMIC TRUCKING SYSTEMS”; and is a continuation-in-partof U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 13/117,891 filed May27, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,303,025 entitled “AERODYNAMIC TRUCKINGSYSTEMS”, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 61/374,572, filed Aug. 17, 2010, entitled “AERODYNAMIC TRUCKINGSYSTEMS”; and, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional ApplicationSer. No. 61/349,183, filed May 27, 2010, entitled “AERODYNAMIC TRUCKINGSYSTEMS”; and incorporates the disclosure of each application byreference. To the extent that the present disclosure conflicts with anyreferenced application, however, the present disclosure is to be givenpriority.

BACKGROUND OF THE TECHNOLOGY

This technology relates to aerodynamic trucking systems. Moreparticularly, this technology relates to providing a system ofaerodynamic apparatus configured to minimize aerodynamic drag andmaintain smoother air flow over highway-operated vehicles, particularlylong-haul tractor-trailer vehicles.

Most large long-haul cargo trailers exhibit less than optimalaerodynamic performance during highway operation. At highway speeds,conventional trailers develop a substantial amount of turbulent airflowin the region between the axles below the trailer box. This turbulenceresults in significant aerodynamic drag, increasing both fuelconsumption and Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) emissions at the motorized towingvehicle. Additionally, temporarily sustained vibration of externalvehicle surfaces due to transient wind-force loading is often associatedwith premature wear, noise, and early failures within such aerodynamicvehicle structures. A system and method to improve the aerodynamicperformance of long-haul transport vehicles in the above-noted areas isdescribed below.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT TECHNOLOGY

A strut assembly for mounting an aerodynamic fairing assembly forattachment to a trailer of a tractor-trailer having a centerline,transverse structural support members extending between sides of thetrailer, and longitudinal members extending along a length of thetrailer. The strut assembly may comprise a mounting plate, a strut body,and a substantially rectangular composite spring. The mounting bracketcomprising a mounting plate and a pair of spaced apart sidewalls. Thestrut body rotatably may be coupled to the pair of spaced apartsidewalls on the mounting bracket. The substantially rectangularcomposite spring may be coupled to an upper surface of the strut bodyand configured to contact an underside of the mounting plate of themounting bracket to resist inward deflection from an external forceapplied to the strut body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present technology may be derivedby referring to the detailed description when considered in connectionwith the following illustrative figures. In the following figures, likereference numbers refer to similar elements and steps throughout thefigures.

FIG. 1 representatively illustrates a perspective view of a strutassembly in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 2 representatively illustrates a perspective view of a strutassembly in a deflected position in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 3 representatively illustrates an exploded perspective view of astrut assembly in accordance with various embodiments,

FIG. 4 representatively illustrates a cross section view take along theline 4-4 in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 5A representatively illustrates a perspective view of a body of thestrut assembly in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 5B representatively illustrates a side view of a body of the strutassembly in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 5C representatively illustrates a rear view of a body of the strutassembly in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 6 representatively illustrates a perspective view a spring inaccordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 7A representatively illustrates a perspective view a spacer inaccordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 7B representatively illustrates a top view a spacer in accordancewith various embodiments;

FIG. 7C representatively illustrates a front view a spacer in accordancewith various embodiments;

FIG. 8A representatively illustrates a perspective view of a springwasher in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 8B representatively illustrates a top view of a spring washer inaccordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 9A representatively illustrates a perspective view of a mountingbracket in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 9B representatively illustrates a side view of a mounting bracketin accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 10A representatively illustrates a perspective view of a mountingclamp in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 10B representatively illustrates a top view of a mounting clamp inaccordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 10C representatively illustrates a side view of a mounting clamp inaccordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 11A representatively illustrates a perspective view of a roller inaccordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 11B representatively illustrates a top view of a roller inaccordance with various embodiments; and

FIG. 11C representatively illustrates an end view of a roller inaccordance with various embodiments.

Elements and steps in the figures are illustrated for simplicity andclarity and have not necessarily been rendered according to anyparticular sequence. For example, steps that may be performedconcurrently or in a different order are illustrated in the figures tohelp to improve understanding of embodiments of the present technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The present technology may be described in terms of functional blockcomponents and various processing steps. Such functional blocks may berealized by any number of components configured to perform the specifiedfunctions and achieve the various results. For example, the presenttechnology may employ various types of materials, connectors, panel,mounts, and the like for aerodynamic trucking systems, and the systemdescribed is merely one exemplary application for the technology.

Methods and apparatus for providing a safety system designed to minimizeinternal deflection of a side skirt on a trailer when side impact froman automobile or other road vehicle occurs. Various representativeimplementations of the present technology may be applied to any systemfor minimizing internal deflection of a side skirt on a trailer uponside impact from an automobile or other road vehicle. The presenttechnology may be utilized to minimize internal deflection of a sideskirt on a trailer upon side impact from an automobile or other roadvehicle so as to limit a vehicles ability to slide underneath asemi-truck trailer when a crash occurs.

Generally, an undercarriage of a conventional cargo trailer is comprisedof groupings of various components, which generally reside below acargo-supporting floor deck, customarily having a rectangular shape. Thecomponents of a semi-type cargo trailer undercarriage customarilyinclude longitudinal and transverse structural support members. Anaerodynamic skirt fairing may be mounted to an undercarriage of a cargotrailer by a panel support or strut assembly. The aerodynamic skirtfairing may be mounted directly to the any portion of the undercarriageof the cargo trailer by any known method. The aerodynamic skirt fairingfunctions to direct airflow away from the central regions of the trailerundercarriage to reduce drag. A conventional cargo trailer is shown anddescribed in FIGS. 1 and 8 of US Patent Publication No.US-2020-0148288-A1, which is incorporated by reference.

In accordance with various embodiments and referring now to FIGS. 1-4, astrut assembly will 100 be discussed. Generally, the strut assembly 100may be coupled to a semi-type cargo trailer undercarriage (not shown) torestrict movement of the aerodynamic skirt fairing inwardly if impactedby an automobile, motorcycle, or other object. Further, the strutassembly 100 may be coupled to one of a longitudinal structural supportmember and/or transverse structural support member of the undercarriageto restrict movement of the aerodynamic skirt fairing inwardly ifimpacted. FIGS. 1 and 3 show the strut assembly 100 in the standardoperating position while FIG. 2 shows the strut assembly 100 in adeflected position.

In various embodiments, the strut assembly 100 may comprise a mountingbracket 102, a spring 104, and a strut body 106. The strut body 106 maybe rotatably coupled to the mounting bracket 102. The spring 104 may becoupled to the mounting bracket 102 and configured to resist inwardrotation of the strut body 106 toward a longitudinal centerline of thetrailer upon impact from an automobile or any other foreign object.

In various embodiments, the strut assembly 100 may be rotatably coupledto the undercarriage of a cargo trailer. In another embodiment, thestrut assembly 100 may be rotatably coupled to one of the longitudinaland/or transverse structural support members.

Each of the components may be constructed from industry-standardmaterials selected to comprise a structural rigidity sufficient tosupport the required air deflection function, while offering a level ofmechanical flexibility sufficient to deflect resiliently under small tomoderate impact loads, thereby reducing the need for repair orreplacement due to permanent impact damage. Materials suitable for usein the strut assembly 100 may comprise, such as, for example, steel,stainless steel, aluminum, composite materials, UHDPE, molded polymer,polymer-based composite, fiber-reinforced polymer, and injection moldedpolycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (“ABS”) plastic,polypropylene, polyethylene, and polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride (“PVC”)or any suitable combination or mixture thereof. In one embodiment, thematerial for the strut assembly 100 may comprise an injection moldedmixture of polycarbonate and ABS plastic. One of ordinary skill in theart will appreciate that, under appropriate circumstances, consideringsuch issues as cost, user preference, etc., other material selectionsfor the strut assembly 100 may be used.

In various embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 9A-B, the mountingbracket 102 may be coupled to one of the longitudinal and/or transversestructural support members by a clamping mechanism 108. In variousembodiments, the mounting bracket 102 may be made steel, stainlesssteel, alloy steel, carbon steel, chromoly, aluminum, various compositematerials and the like.

In various embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 9A-B the mounting bracket 102may comprise a mounting plate 110. The mounting plate 110 may comprise acentral portion 112 containing a positional adjuster comprising anaperture 114 and at least one slotted aperture 116. In one embodiment,the positional adjuster of the mounting plate 110 may comprise a singlecircular aperture 114 and multiple slotted apertures 116. The apertures114, 116 are configured to assist with the mounting of the strutassembly 100 to one of the longitudinal and/or transverse structuralsupport members. The apertures 116 may be slotted or curved to assistwith the mounting of the strut assembly 100 to the trailer.

The mounting plate 110 may comprise a pair of opposed sidewalls 118configured to couple the strut body 106 to the mounting bracket 102. Theopposed sidewalls 118 project downwardly from the mounting plate 102.The sidewalls 118 may comprise a pair of forward apertures 120 and apair of rear apertures 122. The forward apertures may receive a pin 124to couple the strut body 106 to the mounting bracket 102. The rearapertures 122 may receive a fastener 126 to couple a roller 128 to themounting bracket 102.

In one embodiment, the sidewalls 118 each contain an angled notch 130.The angled notch 130 serves to limit the rotation of the strut body 106inwardly towards a centerline of the trailer upon impact from a foreignmember.

In various embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, the mounting bracket 102may be configured to be adjustably mounted to a transverse structuralsupport member of a cargo trailer by the clamping mechanism 108. Theclamping mechanism 108 along with the mounting bracket 102 may beconfigured to be adjustable along multiple linear and rotational axes tofacilitate the above-noted optimized aerodynamic positioning ofrespective aerodynamic skirt fairings mounted to the strut assembly 100within a specific tractor-trailer setup. The clamping mechanism 108 andpositional adjuster of the mounting plate 110 comprising the apertures114, 116 allow the mounting bracket 102 to be adjustable in multipledirections. Another example is shown and described in FIG. 7 of USPatent Publication No. US-2020-0148288-A1, which is incorporated byreference.

In various embodiments, referring to FIGS. 1, 3, and 10A-10C, theclamping mechanism 108 may comprise a pair of spaced apart clamps 132.The clamps 132 may comprise a mounting portion 134 and a raised portion136. The mounting portion 134 may comprise a pair of apertures 138,which align with the apertures on the positional adjuster on themounting plate 110 of the mounting bracket 102.

In one embodiment, when coupled to the mounting bracket 102, a clampspacer 140, shown in FIGS. 3 and 7A-C is placed between the mountingbracket 102 and the clamping mechanism 108. The clamp spacer 140 maycomprise a pair of cutout portions 142, that generally align with theapertures 138 on the mounting porting 134 of the clamps 132 and theapertures 114, 116. The raised portion 136 of the clamps 132 and theclamp spacer 140, when assembled create a mounting channel 144. Themounting channel 144 may comprise a space between a lower surface of theraised portion 136 and the central portion 112 of the mounting bracket102 and may be configured to receive one of the longitudinal and/ortransverse structural support members on the trailer.

In various embodiments, and referring to FIG. 5A-C, the strut body 106may comprise a mounting surface 146 and a panel support 148. Themounting surface 146 is a generally horizontal surface used to couplethe strut body 106 to the spring 104.

The panel support 148 may comprise a downwardly-projecting supportmember 150 pivotally coupled to the mounting bracket 102, which iscoupled to the transverse structural support member on the cargo trailer(not shown). The downwardly-projecting support member 150 of the strutbody 106 may comprise a pair of spaced apart side walls 152, each havinga mounting aperture located at an upper end and a rear wall 154 which isconfigured to sturdy the strut body 106 to support the mounting of aside skirt panel.

In various embodiments, the strut body 106 may be made from any suitablematerial that would resist side impact. Some examples include steel,stainless steel, alloy steel, carbon steel, chromoly, aluminum,composite materials, UHDPE, molded polymer, polymer-based composite,fiber-reinforced polymer, and injection molded polycarbonate,acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (“ABS”) plastic, polypropylene,polyethylene, and polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride (“PVC”) or anysuitable combination or mixture thereof. In one embodiment, the materialfor the strut body 106 may comprise an injection molded mixture ofpolycarbonate and ABS plastic.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 6, the spring 104 will be discussed.The spring 104 may be from a fabric material and is configured to resistmovement of the strut body 106 inwardly upon deflection from an externalimpact. In one embodiment the fabric spring may comprise a GordonSpring, manufactured by Gordon Holdings. In various embodiments, thespring 104 may be constructed from an advanced composite materialcomprising vinyl Ester or epoxy resins and unidirectional fiberreinforcement technologies. Some combinations include glass/vinly esterand/or glass/epoxy. In various embodiments, the spring 104 may comprisea composite spring. These formulations achieve long-lasting, consistentflexing performance in a variety of applications. Composite springs(also referred to as flat springs, flippers, energizers, slats, andexciters) are engineered with proprietary vinyl ester or epoxy resinsand unidirectional glass or carbon fiber reinforcement technologies.These formulations achieve long-lasting, deep, and consistent flexingperformance in a variety of cantilevered applications, from vibratorysorting and conveying systems to furniture. Still further, applicationsrequiring high cyclic fatigue resistance, repeatability, and highperformance are well served by composite springs. The types of materialsfor the fabric spring are similar to those made from PolyOne Corporationand/or Avient Corporationhttps://healthcare.polyone.com/products/advanced-composites/pultrusion-and-continuous-filament-winding-technology/advanced-composite-springs.

The spring 104 comprises a pair of apertures 156 located adjacent afirst end. The spring 104 is generally rectangular shaped and flat,although any suitable shape and configuration may be used depending onthe configuration of the other components. The spring 104 is mountedbetween the lower surface of the mounting bracket 102 and the mountingsurface 146 of the strut body 106. In one embodiment, and as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, the spring 104 is coupled to the mounting surface 146 ofthe strut body 106 by a spring washer 158 (FIGS. 8A-B) at a first end.The spring 104 may be received between the spring washer 158 and themounting surface 146 of the strut body 106 and coupled there between byfasteners 160. The fasteners 160 are received in apertures 156 on thespring 104, apertures 162 on the spring washer 140, and apertures 164 onthe mounting surface 146 of the strut body 106.

A second end of the spring 106 is configured to slide on an underside ofthe roller 128, when deflected. The roller 128, shown in FIGS. 12A-C,may be made from any suitable low friction material comprising compositematerials, UHDPE, molded polymer, polymer-based composite,fiber-reinforced polymer, and injection molded polycarbonate,acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (“ABS”) plastic, polypropylene,polyethylene, and polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride (“PVC”) or anysuitable combination or mixture thereof.

Referring now to FIGS. 8A-C, the spring washer 158 may comprise aprotrusion 166 that is received within the angled notch 130 on themounting bracket 102. The angled notch 130 serves to limit the rotationof the strut body 106 inwardly towards a centerline of the trailer uponimpact from a foreign member. The notch 130 only allows the strut body106 to be deformed by a specific amount due to the configuration of theprotrusion 166 contained therein.

In operation, the spring 104 along with the protrusion 166 and anglednotch 130 serve to limit the rotation of the strut body 106 with respectto the mounting bracket 102. Upon deflection, the strut body 106 ismoved inwardly and upwardly. Rotation continues until the protrusion 166contacts the angled notch 130. The mounting surface 146 of the strutbody 106 contacts the spring 104, which restricts the movement of thestrut body 106 along with the protrusion 166 and angled notch 130. Thespring 104 provides resistance while the protrusion 166 and angled notch130 provide a hard stop.

In the foregoing description, the technology has been described withreference to specific exemplary embodiments. Various modifications andchanges may be made, however, without departing from the scope of thepresent invention as set forth. The description and figures are to beregarded in an illustrative manner, rather than a restrictive one andall such modifications are intended to be included within the scope ofthe present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the technology shouldbe determined by the generic embodiments described and their legalequivalents rather than by merely the specific examples described above.For example, the steps recited in any method or process embodiment maybe executed in any appropriate order and are not limited to the explicitorder presented in the specific examples. Additionally, the componentsand/or elements recited in any system embodiment may be combined in avariety of permutations to produce substantially the same result as thepresent invention and are accordingly not limited to the specificconfiguration recited in the specific examples.

Benefits, other advantages and solutions to problems have been describedabove with regard to particular embodiments. Any benefit, advantage,solution to problems or any element that may cause any particularbenefit, advantage or solution to occur or to become more pronounced,however, is not to be construed as a critical, required or essentialfeature or component.

The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any variation thereof, areintended to reference a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process,method, article, composition or apparatus that comprises a list ofelements does not include only those elements recited, but may alsoinclude other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process,method, article, composition or apparatus. Other combinations and/ormodifications of the above-described structures, arrangements,applications, proportions, elements, materials or components used in thepractice of the present technology, in addition to those notspecifically recited, may be varied or otherwise particularly adapted tospecific environments, manufacturing specifications, design parametersor other operating requirements without departing from the generalprinciples of the same.

What is claimed:
 1. A strut assembly for mounting an aerodynamic fairingassembly for attachment to a trailer of a tractor-trailer having acenterline, transverse structural support members extending betweensides of the trailer, and longitudinal members extending along a lengthof the trailer, the strut fairing assembly comprising: a mountingbracket comprising a mounting plate and a pair of spaced apartsidewalls; a strut body rotatably coupled to the pair of spaced apartsidewalls on the mounting bracket; and a substantially rectangularcomposite spring coupled to an upper surface of the strut body andconfigured to contact an underside of the mounting plate of the mountingbracket to resist inward deflection from an external force.
 2. The strutassembly of claim 1, wherein the mounting bracket is coupled to one ormore or of the transverse structural support members by a clampingmechanism.
 3. The strut assembly of claim 2, wherein the clampingmechanism comprises a pair of spaced apart clamping plates each having amounting portion and a raised portion, wherein the mounting portion iscoupled to the mounting plate of the mounting bracket and the transversestructural support members are received within a channel between theraised portion of the clamping plates and an upper surface of themounting plate to couple the strut assembly to the trailer.
 4. The strutassembly of claim 1, wherein the pair of spaced apart sidewalls of themounting bracket contain a pair of forward apertures and a pair of rearapertures; wherein: the pair of forward apertures are configured torotatably couple the strut body to the mounting bracket with a fastener;and the pair of rear apertures are configured to couple a roller to themounting bracket with a fastener, wherein an upper surface of thesubstantially rectangular composite spring contacts a lower surface ofthe roller.
 5. The strut assembly of claim 4, wherein each of the pairof spaced apart sidewalls contain an angled notch at a forward end ofthe mounting bracket.
 6. The strut assembly of claim 5, wherein thesubstantially rectangular composite spring is coupled to an uppermounting surface of the strut body by a spring washer.
 7. The strutassembly of claim 6, wherein the spring washer comprises a protrusionthat projects outwardly of the pair of spaced apart sidewalls andresides within the angled notch of the mounting bracket.
 8. The strutassembly of claim 7, wherein upon inward deflection of the strut towardthe centerline of the trailer, the strut body moves inwardly and rotatesat the connection between the strut body and the mounting bracket tocause the upper mounting surface of the strut body to deflect therectangular composite spring.
 9. The strut assembly of claim 1, whereinthe strut body extends downwardly from the mounting bracket.
 10. Thestrut assembly of claim 9, wherein the strut body comprises panelsupport having a downwardly-projecting support member.
 11. The strutassembly of claim 10, wherein the downwardly-projecting support membercomprises a pair of spaced apart side walls coupled to the panelsupport.
 12. The strut assembly of claim 1, wherein the substantiallyrectangular composite spring is coupled to an upper surface of the strutbody by a spring washer.
 13. The strut assembly of claim 12, wherein thepair of spaced apart sidewalls of the mounting bracket each comprise anangled notch.
 14. The strut assembly of claim 13, wherein a protrusionon the spring washer is received within the angled notch on the mountingbracket and configured to limit the rotation of the strut body inwardlytowards the centerline of the trailer upon impact from a foreign member.15. A strut assembly for mounting an aerodynamic fairing assembly forattachment to a trailer of a tractor-trailer having a centerline,transverse structural support members extending between sides of thetrailer, and longitudinal members extending along a length of thetrailer, the strut fairing assembly comprising: a mounting bracketcomprising a mounting plate and a pair of spaced apart sidewalls eachcomprising an angled notch; a strut body rotatably coupled to the pairof spaced apart sidewalls on the mounting bracket; and a substantiallyrectangular composite spring coupled to an upper surface of the strutbody by a spring washer, wherein a protrusion on the spring washer isreceived within the angled notch on the mounting bracket and configuredto limit the rotation of the strut body inwardly towards the centerlineof the trailer upon impact from a foreign member.
 16. The strut assemblyof claim 15, wherein the mounting bracket is coupled to one or more orof the transverse structural support members by a clamping mechanism.17. The strut assembly of claim 16, wherein the clamping mechanismcomprises a pair of spaced apart clamping plates each having a mountingportion and a raised portion, wherein the mounting portion is coupled tothe mounting plate of the mounting bracket and the transverse structuralsupport members are received within a channel between the raised portionof the clamping plates and an upper surface of the mounting plate tocouple the strut assembly to the trailer.
 18. The strut assembly ofclaim 15, wherein the pair of spaced apart sidewalls of the mountingbracket contain a pair of forward apertures and a pair of rearapertures; wherein: the pair of forward apertures are configured torotatably couple the strut body to the mounting bracket with a fastener;and the pair of rear apertures are configured to couple a roller to themounting bracket with a fastener, wherein an upper surface of thesubstantially rectangular composite spring contacts a lower surface ofthe roller.
 19. The strut assembly of claim 15, wherein the strut bodyextends downwardly from the mounting bracket.
 20. The strut assembly ofclaim 19, wherein the strut body comprises panel support having adownwardly-projecting support member, wherein the downwardly-projectingsupport member comprises a pair of spaced apart side walls coupled tothe panel support.